This spring, CASE will present its 2009 Leadership in Social Entrepreneurship Award toJacqueline Novogratz, Founder and CEO of theAcumen Fundand author ofThe Blue Sweater: Bridging the Gap Between Rich and Poor in an Interconnected World(released March 2009). Acumen Fund is a non-profit global venture fund using entrepreneurial approaches to solve the problems of global poverty. They seek to prove that small amounts of philanthropic capital, combined with large doses of business acumen, can build thriving enterprises that serve vast numbers of the poor. Acumen's investments focus on delivering affordable, critical goods and services – like health, water, housing and energy – through innovative, market-oriented approaches.

About the Award: As part of our efforts to promote entrepreneurial leadership in the social sector, CASE recognizes an individual each year who has made significant contributions to the field of social entrepreneurship. Honorees may be social entrepreneurs, philanthropists, researchers, writers, or academics whose work has had positive social impact by encouraging or demonstrating innovation and promoting effectiveness within the social sector. Past recipients include Muhammad Yunus, Founder and Managing Director, Grameen Bank and Wendy Kopp, Founder and CEO of Teach for America.